Oral Report by H.E. Mrs Eleonora Valentinovna Mitrofanova, Chairperson of the Executive Board of UNESCO, Permanent Delegate of the Russian Federation to UNESCO

Госпожа Председатель Генеральной конференции, госпожа Генеральный директор, уважаемые представители стран-членов ЮНЕСКО, Ваши Превосходительства, дамы и господа, Сегодня мне как Председателю Исполнительного совета ЮНЕСКО выпала большая честь произнести вступительную речь на дискуссии Генеральной конференции по вопросам общей политики. Как вы знаете, прямой конституционной обязанностью Совета является подготовка Проекта двухлетней программы и бюджета Организации (36С/5), подготовка работы очередной сессии Генеральной конференции и подотчётность ей в своей собственной деятельности за два года. Таким образом, моё выступление предполагает отчёт о деятельности Совета за 2010-2011 годы. После представления моего устного доклада с ним можно будет ознакомиться в опубликованном информационном документе за номером 36 C/INF.9. Этот документ включает развёрнутое дополнение к документу 36 С/9 Часть I, в котором дано краткое резюме основных мероприятий Исполнительного совета со 183-й по 187-ю сессии. Документ 36 C/INF.9 более детально отражает вопросы, которые, в частности, обсудили комиссии и комитеты Исполсовета и которые я не стану сейчас перечислять и остановлюсь на главном. Хочу также напомнить, что в вашем распоряжении имеются документы Совета, отражающие все решения, принятые за истекший двухлетний период, письменные доклады комиссий и комитетов и краткие отчеты каждой сессии Совета и его информационных совещаний. Уважаемые дамы и господа, Работа Совета последние два года осуществлялась, без преувеличения, в весьма сложных условиях. Во-первых, в условиях глобального финансово-экономического кризиса. Начался и продолжается процесс социальных, политических и культурных изменений в арабском мире. Движущей силой этого процесса является молодёжь, которая составляет большинство населения планеты, живущего за чертой бедности. Угрожающе многочисленными и регулярными стали природные катаклизмы. Часты и масштабны техногенные катастрофы, имеющие критические последствия для экосистемы на планете, не считая сопряжённых с ними людских и финансовых потерь. Около 50 стран во всех регионах мира пострадали от природных катаклизмов, террористических актов, локальных конфликтов, эпидемий, экологических катастроф. Самая скромная статистика оценивает ущерб в сотни миллиардов долларов США. Такова картина сегодняшнего мира. От того, насколько широко и прагматично мировое сообщество – то есть все мы – проявит солидарность и мобилизует свои усилия на преодоления кризисных явлений, будет зависеть день завтрашний. Второй особенностью данного периода была перестройка работы Секретариата, приход новых людей в руководство Организации, проведение внутренних структурных преобразований в условиях ограниченных финансовых ресурсов. Могу вас заверить, что этот сложный, но необходимый период реформирования наша Организация проходит успешно. Ещё есть вопросы, над которыми надо работать, особенно, что касается внутренней бюрократии, но в целом Исполсовет отмечает положительные сдвиги в этом направлении. Особенно хотелось подчеркнуть, что в этот непростой период Генеральному директору удалось сформировать новую команду и очень оперативно реагировать на многочисленные кризисные явления в мире, такие как землетрясение на Гаити, наводнения в Пакистане и других странах. Благодаря энергичным действиям Генерального директора, сегодня наметилась очевидная тенденция усиления значимости и видимости нашей Организации в системе ООН и на международной арене. Исполсовет приветствует усилия Генерального директора, направленные на укрепление связей со странами-членами ЮНЕСКО и с их национальными комиссиями, в частности посредством своих регулярных совещаний, встреч и обменов информацией. Полная готовность Генерального директора отвечать ожиданиям стран-членов была характерной чертой деятельности ЮНЕСКО в течение 2010-2011 годов. Дамы и господа, Как вы помните, в финансовом плане мы начали это двухлетие не с нуля, но с нулевого номинального роста на основе бюджетного пакета в сумме 653 миллиона долларов. Такой же верхний предельный уровень бюджета Исполнительный совет рекомендует Генеральной конференции утвердить и на последующий период 2012-2013 годов. При принятии рекомендации по нулевому номинальному росту Совет исходил из обстоятельств текущего мирового экономического спада и усилий самой Организации Объединенных Наций по сокращению своего собственного бюджета. Как вы знаете, Генеральная конференция ЮНЕСКО на своей 35-й сессии в резолюции 82 просила Исполнительный совет «представить ей предложения по реализации просьбы Генеральной Ассамблеи ООН к специализированным учреждениям согласовать их цикл планирования с новым четырехгодичным циклом обзора политики в области оперативной деятельности в интересах развития системы Организации Объединенных Наций начиная с 2012 г.». Такая работа была проведена и её результаты представлены вам на рассмотрение. Также на своей 35-й сессии в резолюции 102 Генеральная конференция постановила провести внешнюю и независимую оценку деятельности ЮНЕСКО всеобъемлющего, стратегического и перспективного характера. На своей 185-й сессии Совет рассмотрел заключительный доклад о независимой внешней оценке ЮНЕСКО (НВО) и постановил учредить специальную рабочую группу, открытую для всех стран-членов, с целью выработки проектов решений по рекомендациям НВО. Результаты деятельности рабочей группы были представлены Совету на его 186-й сессии. Совет одобрил рекомендации специальной рабочей группы и результаты её работы представлены на рассмотрение Генеральной конференции. Считаем результаты работы этой группы весьма полезными и рекомендуем для рассмотрения сложных вопросов продолжать использовать подобную форму деятельности самого Исполсовета и в будущем. Совет вновь подтвердил Среднесрочную стратегию на 2008-2013 годы, заключённую в документе 34 С/4 и её два глобальных приоритета – Африка и гендерное равенство, её всеобъемлющие и стратегические программные цели, а также её межсекторальную направленность. Dear Colleagues, The impact of the Board’s action on the work of the Organization has brought into sharper relief the significance of UNESCO’s role as a laboratory of ideas in the service of international peace and security. Throughout the biennium the Board upheld the need to further refocus the Organization’s intellectual dimension. This was, for example, underlined by the choice and relevance of the thematic debate on the theme of “Intercultural dialogue in the 2010s: revisiting policies within the context of a culture of peace”, held at the 185th session, and which highlighted, the importance of defining new approaches to the promotion of peace, dialogue, tolerance and universal reconciliation. This was done in close relation to the celebration of the 2010 International Year of Rapprochement of Cultures, for which the Board formulated relevant recommendations in order to give an impulse going beyond the one-year timeframe. During this biennium, the Board maintained four traditional intersessional Information meetings with the Director-General, which were considered as most productive for Board’s work. Also, the visits to the Board of high-level guests such as Her Royal Highness Princess Marie of Denmark as well as Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammad Al Saud, the Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia, and Sebastiбn Piсera, President of Chile – emphasized once again the leading role played by UNESCO in its fields of competence with regard to strengthening the principles of democracy, equality, security and stability in the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, During the biennium the Board demonstrated its profound commitment to the universal ideals and objectives of humanity, peace and sustainable development by taking an active part in UNESCO’s efforts in advancing the goals laid down in the United Nations Millennium Declaration. A wide range of events has furthered this cause, in which I have had occasion to participate in the performance of my duty of Board’s Chairperson. I am referring among others to international conferences such as the UNESCO Future Forum on Gender Equality: The Missing Link? Rethinking the Internationally Agreed Development goals beyond 2015 (9-11 September 2010), which took place in Greece and the first-ever World Conference on Early Childhood Care and Education: Building the wealth of Nations, held in Moscow (27-29 September 2010). I am also thinking of the official launch of the International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, the International Year of Youth and the International Year of Chemistry, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly. A number of events dedicated to the celebration of dates important for the whole of humanity have also required my and many of Board Members’ direct participation. These have included among others the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the 65th anniversary of the foundation of UNESCO and the 50th anniversary of the first manned flight into space; also on 2nd November, the 10th anniversary of the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Distinguished Delegates, At its last session of the biennium the Board recommended to the General Conference to admit Palestine to full UNESCO membership by a majority vote: 40 in favour, 4 against and 14 abstentions. Member States which voted against or abstained advanced an argument that this issue has first to be subject of the decision at the UN Headquarters in New-York. Nevertheless, the majority of Board Members supported Palestine’s request for admission to UNESCO membership and the subsequent recommendation is now before the General Conference. Ladies and Gentlemen, Each area of work accomplished demanded from us all a skilful combination of time, energy, flexibility, determination and cohesion in order to achieve tangible and mutually acceptable results. By doing this Members of the Board remained firmly committed to place UNESCO as a dynamic actor of the global governance and make it fully taking the advantages and benefits from such a position. Distinguished Delegates, Now I would like to inform you on the work of Board Commissions and Committees during the 2010-2011 biennium. By doing this, I would like to rely on contributions to this report I received from my colleagues Members of the Bureau, whose judicious approach, invaluable support and friendship helped me in making the Board focus on results and efficiency. As I said previously, I will not give details but will resume by giving the essence, while inviting you to find supplementary information from the document 36 C/INF.9. Throughout the biennium, the Programme and External Relations (PX) Commission examined a total of 71 agenda items. Over the reporting period, the Commission recommended 66 draft decisions. The vast majority of them were adopted by consensus, except on 9 occasions when a vote was taken. With regards to programmatic deliberations, the Commission stressed the importance of UNESCO’s actions in education, in particular concerning the Education for All program (EFA). The Commission generally welcomed the new EFA coordination structure which will make education more visible on the global agenda. In this regard the Commission strongly urged UNESCO to be more ambitious and to start planning strategic actions beyond 2015. Two other areas in education which received a lot of attention from the Commission is the UNESCO Strategy for the second half of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) and the progress achieved in the implementation of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Strategy. In the area of natural sciences, the Commission among others expressed its general support for the creation of a UNESCO engineering initiative and supported the creation of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The Commission also welcomed UNESCO’s contribution to the global action on climate change. With regards to social and human sciences, the Commission highlighted the importance of the Organization’s actions on youth and took note of the UNESCO Strategy on African Youth. The Commission also supported the reorientation of the Management of Social Transformations (MOST) Programme. Furthermore, members of the Commission advocated for UNESCO to continue its actions on human rights, bioethics, philosophy and democracy. Concerning UNESCO’s actions in culture, the Commission underlined the importance of its standard-setting function in this area, and called for strengthening of the implementation of existing normative instruments. The Commission also highlighted that priority should be given to support Member States in mainstreaming culture into their development policies, and underscored the importance of reinforcing programmes and activities in favour of languages and multilingualism, dialogue among cultures, and protection of cultural heritage in Post-Conflict Post-Disaster (PCPD) situations. With regards to communication and information, the Commission generally supported the revised draft strategy on UNESCO’s contribution to the promotion of open access to scientific information and research. Within the framework of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), UNESCO should continue to play a lead role in Open Access to scientific information and collaborate with other UN agencies on the subject. Finally, as the knowledge management is to be considered one of UNESCO's main priorities the PX Commission is increasingly supportive to the Memory of the World Programme. During the course of the biennium, the Administrative and Financial (FA) Commission examined a total of 68 items. This includes the rate of budget implementation of regular and extrabudgetary funds, accountability and transparency in financial management, prompt implementation of all external and internal audit recommendations, requirements to improve compliance, cost effectiveness and efficiency, to do better with fewer resources in order to enhance the credibility and reputation of the Organization and its competitiveness and complementarity with other UN agencies. The Commission resolved by consensus a number of important issues: the Organization’s first Financial Statements prepared under IPSAS received the External Auditor`s approval; the first phase of the reform of the Field Network was approved; the Human Resources Strategy for 2012-2017 was endorsed. In addition members found that the examination of 14 audit reports of the External Auditor provided useful evidence-based information which assisted the Executive Board in exercising oversight over the implementation of the Programme. The Commission supported, within the alternative 36 C/5 zero nominal growth scenario, the reinforcement of the Africa Department by $1.1 million; and of the Division for Gender Equality by $0.7 million; as well as the allocation of $9 million under a separate budget line for funding of Phase I of the Field Network Reform. Dear colleagues, Over the course of the 2010-2011 biennium, amongst the most debated items, have been the questions related to the state and governance of the Medical Benefits Fund, the Management of UNESCO’s complex and security, in particular the Capital Master Plan, construction of the forward security post, renovation of the Bonvin/Miollis site and installation of the new communication systems, as well as the use of constant dollar and its impact on Member States contributions. While recognizing the achievements with respect to the Human Resources Strategy, geographical distribution of staff and gender balance, as well as lack of transparency in the recruitment process, still remained contentious issues for the Commission. Distinguished colleagues, A clear tendency has been observed to increase the number of Board items to be examined by the Joint Meeting of the FA and PX plenary Commissions which proved its positive role as an efficient and time-saving mechanism. It confirmed the increased understanding among members of the Executive Board and the Secretariat of the inseparable link between programmatic and financial aspects and the increased attention paid by them to the efforts to further streamline and rationalize the Organization’s resources. However, the examination of items in the Joint meeting, though recognizing the importance of financial and administrative issues, has a tendency to give ‘preference’ to the examination of substance or programmatic issues which is quite understandable, given that UNESCO’s mission and aims in serving its Member States are to advance intellectual cooperation and strengthen solidarity. As far as the Special Committee (SP) concerns, it considered several important items on the Board’s agenda with a view to providing reports and recommendations to the Commissions and Plenary on questions pertaining to the running costs of the governing bodies. It also considered the follow-up of the Independent External Evaluation of UNESCO and the United Nations General Assembly proposal to align planning cycles with the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system. Mesdames et Messieurs, En accord avec les termes de son double mandat le Comitй sur les conventions et recommandations (CR) a poursuivi son objectif premier d’assurer le suivi de l’application des 14 instruments normatifs adoptйs par l’UNESCO. Le Comitй a ainsi examinй 5 rapports des Йtats membres sur l’application des instruments normatifs, transmis а la prйsente session de la Confйrence gйnйrale avec ses commentaires. Certaines consultations sur les rapports pйriodiques des Etats membres sur la suite donnйe aux conventions et recommandations ont rencontrй un taux assez faible de rйponses. Le Comitй a ainsi rappelй les obligations juridiques prйvues par l’article VIII de l’Acte constitutif de l’UNESCO. En second lieu, le Comitй a examinй en 2010-2011 les communications reзues par l’UNESCO sur les cas de violation des droits de l’homme dans les domaines de sa compйtence. 34 communications concernant 14 pays ont йtй examinйes en sйance privйe : 8 d’entre elles ont йtй rйglйes. Le Comitй a aussi poursuivi l’examen de ses propres mйthodes de travail, en adoptant des mesures visant а amйliorer sa Pratique procйdurale. Il a invitй la Directrice gйnйrale а recourir а ses bons offices pour faciliter l’йmergence de solutions relatives aux cas dйjа examinйs par le Comitй et а renforcer la visibilitй de la procйdure 104. Ladies and Gentlmen, With regard to the work of the Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), its revitalization process, decided by the General Conference at its 34th session, was pursued and strengthened. It was possible thanks to the thematic round tables held on topics of common interest to UNESCO and NGOs. Since it seems to be important that the partners involved in this exercise all feel on an equal footing, this experience could possibly benefit from a different organizational framework. Such events of international scope could meaningfully be convened once a year furthermore, outside the strict confines of the Board’s proceedings, but naturally under its auspices and with its full participation. The work of the Committee was also highlighted by the drafting of the new directives concerning UNESCO’s partnership with NGOs, recommended to the General Conference for adoption, and the revision of terms of reference of the Committee. Distinguished colleagues, Since taking office my first and foremost concern, as Board Chairperson, was to avoid the repetition of the budgetary over-spend experienced by the Board in the 2008-2009 biennium. Therefore, I tried to exercise vigilant control of the budget execution over present biennium. I am sincerely thankful to the Members of the Board and its Bureau Members – Vice-Chairs and Chairs of Commissions and Committees – for their sustained cooperation in considering the Board’s efforts towards the optimization of its work. This was also possible only in close coordination with the Board Secretariat. This involved rationalization of the agenda, careful forward planning of translation and document production schedules, control of hospitality expenses, limitation of overtime and recourse to temporary assistance, etc. During my mandate I have launched a special pilot project to ensure that Members of the Board could participate on a voluntary basis in an experimental process to replace paper documents by accessing their respective online versions through a specially created, user-friendly website. This process, which entailed no additional cost whatsoever to the Board’s overall budget, is of course subject to review and further improvement. I must say, that as a preliminary, broad-brush result, the projected budget situation at the close of the current biennium shows expenditure in line with targets. Certain additional expenses and investments have been possible thanks to such tight budget management. For example, I think about the optimization of sound and electrical equipment in Board’s meeting rooms and six-language interpretation during all information meetings of the Executive Board. Now, as we are close to the end of the biennium it is a matter of fact that during this stage the Executive Board has managed to adjust towards greater economy in its activities. I think you will agree that reducing a 30 percent over-run to almost nil in the biennium is already a considerable achievement. I shall also note that although this is just the beginning, the Board’s sessions kept to the agenda and within the time-limit for the first time in recent years, finishing their work on time. I consider that, on the whole, judging by the outcomes of the four sessions of the Board we have made essential progress in our shared desire to reform UNESCO and the work of its governing bodies. The Board’s work was not, however, without challenges. For instance, the challenge of adopting a more business-oriented approach involving regular informal consultations by Board members on all or most key issues in the period between sessions has not been met. This attitude would allow Member States to make use of less time-consuming procedures at Board sessions by avoiding duplication between the debates and the preparation of draft documents. I fervently hope that the Board will also be able to pragmatically continue to be concerned by the ever-increasing number of items on its agenda and by the rising expectations to deliver more programme activities with limited resources. I would invite Member States to constantly pursue reflections on how to improve our methods of work in order to ensure that we begin and close our official meetings as good managers of our own time, energies, health and money. Moving UNESCO into the 21st century is not something just for the Secretariat. The Governing bodies simply cannot continue with working methods elaborated in the 1950s. Much still has to be done, and I lay great hope on the follow-up to the Independent External Evaluation to move this matter forward. Its conclusions and recommendations on UNESCO’s current work were most helpful for the Board’s reflections and actions towards capitalizing on the power and value of the Organization’s programme for its stakeholders. Dear Colleagues, You know well that the whole action of our Organization requires the three organs’ full attention, but in particular that of the Executive Board.Here I must to say that closer communication and cooperation between Board Chairperson with both the President of the General Conference and the Director-General ensured that the three organs worked as one, while being mindful of each other’s role. I must once more pay special tribute to Dr Davidson Hepburn, former President of the General Conference, for his wise and inspiring advice and observations on Board’s work over the past two years. His vigorous action gave particularly great visibility to the item related to the Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Ваши Превосходительства, дамы и господа, В заключение я бы хотела сказать следующее. Со дня своего основания и до настоящего момента ЮНЕСКО полностью оправдала свое существование. Сегодняшний процесс реформ нашей Организации доказывает, что ЮНЕСКО может приспосабливаться к меняющимся условиям и оперативно, адекватно и гибко реагировать на происходящие изменения в мире. В сферах своей компетенции она должна и далее способствовать эффективному и в максимальной степени наглядному выполнению стоящих перед международным сообществом сложных задач. Сессии Совета играют в этом смысле ключевую связующую роль, когда, основываясь на опыте прошлых лет, государства-члены Организации стремятся совместно, в рамках консенсуса и конструктивного диалога, строить лучшее будущее для всего человечества. Хочу пожелать делегатам Генеральной конференции успешной и плодотворной работы во имя благородной миссии ЮНЕСКО. Благодарю за внимание.